Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) Early Intervention Behavioral Health Services and Supports: Children and Youth (0-25)

Solano County Behavioral Health is soliciting proposals for Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) Early Intervention behavioral health services and supports for children, youth, and young adults ages 0–25 residing in Solano County, with proposals due July 24, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. via the OpenGov Solano County Portal.

Proposers must be active with the California Secretary of State and not listed on federal exclusion lists. The scope encompasses outreach and engagement, screening and linkage to care, navigation and warm handoffs, crisis referrals, and brief evidence-based treatment interventions delivered through flexible service modalities. Services are intended to proactively identify and address behavioral health needs before escalation, serving priority populations including those experiencing early signs of mental health or substance use disorder conditions, homelessness or housing instability, justice or child welfare involvement, elevated crisis risk, LGBTQ+ individuals, and families and caregivers. Programs must implement culturally and linguistically responsive services, maintain closed-loop referral and follow-up processes, and function as entry and linkage points to specialty mental health and substance use disorder services, coordinating with Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans, schools, healthcare providers, child welfare, justice partners, and community organizations.

The estimated funding is not to exceed $1.02 million annually, with a three-year contract ceiling of approximately $3.06 million. Funding is contingent upon state appropriations and receipt of BHSA allocations. The initial contract term runs November 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with potential annual renewals through June 30, 2029, and the County may extend for up to two additional one-year terms without competitive rebidding. The County prioritizes proposers demonstrating a credible pathway to Medi-Cal billing and long-term sustainability through claims-based reimbursement, appropriate documentation, and compliance standards. Evaluation criteria weight technical approach and program design (30%), organizational capacity and experience (20%), community engagement and partnerships (15%), budget and cost effectiveness (15%), Medi-Cal billing transition and implementation plan (5%), and evaluation and quality assurance (15%). Interviews are scheduled for the week of August 17, 2026, with contractor selection targeted for August 21, 2026. Contractors must maintain Errors and Omissions and Professional Malpractice insurance of at least $1 million combined single limit per claim, execute HIPAA Business Associate Agreements, maintain mental health record confidentiality under California Welfare and Institutions Code section 5328, and comply with Drug-Free Workplace and Child/Adult Abuse reporting requirements.